This is the first weekend of Devo Team training and for the first day our focus will simply be on skiing as many runs as we can so that the coaches and athletes can become familiar with each other. This will also enable the coaches to have a chance to evaluate the skill level of each athlete. The athletes will also be introduced to the "directed free skiing" concept. As the weekend progresses we will begin teaching the proper stance for skiing.

Basic Stance and Balance, Introduction to the Science of Skiing

This weekend the emphasis will remain on directed free skiing, however we will also be spending a lot of time on stance and balance drills. The goal of this weekend is to ensure that the athlete can ski all terrain while remaining in control using proper stance and balance techniques. The athletes will also be introduced to what I like to call the "science of skiing". This is when we introduce the concepts of ski sidecut, turn radius, edging, gliding, fall line etc. These concepts will be emphasized throughout the year.

The athletes will be introduced to the concept of a carved versus a skidded turn. Using the completion of a turn across the fall line to maintain control will be taught as well. This weekend we will spend slightly more time on technical drills rather than directed free skiing.

Carving, Angulation, and Rhythm

Carving will continue to be emphasized, with the introduction of hip angulation as a tool to make carving easier. The concept of skiing with rhythm will be introduced as well. The emphasis this weekend will be on applying carving skills to all terrain and snow conditions available. Training courses may be used this weekend to help reinforce the rhythm concept.

Carving, Angulation, Rhythm, and Introduction to Giant Slalom

Concepts introduced in the two previous weekends will be reinforced as we look forward to the GS race on the following week. Rhythmical GS courses will be set as we take the concepts learned in free skiing and apply them to a GS racecourse.

On Saturday we will have the Hooter Run, the first YSL GS race of the year. On Sunday we will introduce the athletes to short radius turn techniques, as the first slalom race is two weeks away.

We will continue to teach the concepts of short radius turns, as well as reinforcing carving, angulation, and rhythm skills. We will also re-introduce stance and balance concepts as they pertain to short-radius turns.

While we will strive to set some short slalom training courses, we may be unable to do so as hill space will be at a premium due to the AML Race series this weekend.

On Saturday we will have the Snow Man, the first YSL SL race of the year. On Sunday we will be taking a break from technical drills and gates and return to directed free skiing. Emphasis will be on reinforcing previously learned skills and concepts in free skiing.

Short Radius Turns, Pole Plants, Slalom Gates

Turn initiation and linking of short radius turns will be emphasized as well as an introduction to proper pole plants in directed free skiing. On Sunday we will see a return to slalom gates as we have a slalom race next weekend.

On Saturday we will have the Silver Surfer, the second and final YSL SL race of the year. On Sunday we will re-focus on the basic concepts of long radius GS turns.

This will be an intensive weekend focusing on the basics of GS turns. A high percentage of time will be spent in GS gates as we teach basic tactical concepts as they pertain to Giant Slalom.

Youth Ski League Giant Slalom Race, Directed Free Skiing.

On Saturday we will have the King Kong, the second and final YSL GS race of the year. . On Sunday we will be taking a break from technical drills and gates and return to directed free skiing. Emphasis will be on reinforcing previously learned skills and concepts in free skiing.

This weekend will be spent teaching the Devo Team athlete to become comfortable with skiing both safe and fast in all terrain. Proper technique and safety will be emphasized at all times.

This is the final weekend before the 12 and Under State Championships. We will spend a high percentage of time in both slalom and giant slalom gates in preparation for theses races.

This is the premier event for the Devo Team and is a chance to showcase the skills that have been learned throughout the year in front of the rest of the state. This is the final weekend of Devo Training.